tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584420.post114090030616987334..comments2024-03-19T14:44:41.142+00:00Comments on incurable hippie's musings and rants: Self-Harm and Medical TreatmentUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584420.post-1141829838583028952006-03-08T14:57:00.000+00:002006-03-08T14:57:00.000+00:00Hi folks,I work in the health service in a non-cli...Hi folks,<BR/>I work in the health service in a non-clinical post- my job is to direct patients to the appropriate nursing staff who triage and arrange clinical help for the patient if it's needed.<BR/><BR/>Since I started this job in November, I have to say, as an ex- self harmer (for the minute, anyway, 24 years and counting) that I have been hugely impressed by the way that people who self harm are treated.<BR/><BR/> Clinical supervisors have always been very helpful when a nurse is not available right at that minute, and all the policies and procedures direct us to treat all patients with the dignity and courtesy they deserve, regardless of their current problem.<BR/><BR/>I'm not saying that there might not be exceptions that I'm not aware of (particularly in branches of the service in other cities), but they would be the exception, and they would get a hard time from colleagues, not just supervisors.<BR/><BR/>I'm not just saying this to rave about how wonderful the place I work is- (although I came here because it has a really good reputation for the way it treats staff, and I'm really pleased to see that the reason it does so is to ensure good service to patients/clients)- I'm saying it because it is unacceptable for anyone to be treated in the way hippie has described, and I hope to encourage anyone who is treated like that not to believe that it reflects on them personally. It reflects on the health professional treating them- if they behave like that, they are out of order, they know they are out of order, and should be prepared to face the consequences of their actions.<BR/><BR/>Understandably, anyone treated like this is not going to be at their most confident. But if anyone does feel up to it, I would strongly recommend recording as many details as possible of what happened, and pass the information on either to the relevant health board, community health council, patient advocate, or whoever they feel comfortable with. Maybe other readers could come up with suggestions relevant to their particular area- not all health authorities are arranged in the same way- but most have some department or allocated person to act as patient advocate, who is meant to be neutral and will help you go over any problems you have had with treatment or staff, and advise you on what can be done.<BR/><BR/> <BR/><BR/>Shitty attitudes are being got rid of, slowly but surely- not fast enough, i know, but anyone who feels up to helping by reporting how they've been treated would be helping out other people as well as themselves. Just do a bit of reasearch first and make sure the person you speak to is reliable and neutral- there are a few patients rights groups out there who should be able to help you decide who to go to. <BR/><BR/> Unfortunately there are still a few people in management positions in some organisations who are less than sympathetic, and you don't want to make yourself feel worse by speaking to one of them.<BR/><BR/>All the best to everyone, virtual hugs to everyone who needs 'em, and I hope if you're needing help, you come through to someone I work with rather than a bastard like those described above.vapid nesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10039005621106783402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584420.post-1141135629305893802006-02-28T14:07:00.000+00:002006-02-28T14:07:00.000+00:00I support what others have said in that people who...I support what others have said in that people who self harm deserve as much can and compassion as everyone else, perhaps more because if additional support is available it should be offered.<BR/><BR/>I hope your burn heals ok.TPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00483648212124828160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584420.post-1141124204177173922006-02-28T10:56:00.000+00:002006-02-28T10:56:00.000+00:00"However, when it's *me*, I of course don't deserv..."However, when it's *me*, I of course don't deserve a single nice word or a dressing which actually deals adequately with the wound."<BR/><BR/>Which sort of figures - i tend to think that anyone who has that attitude to themselves wouldn't be self-harming in the first place.<BR/>Also, i agree with Goldfish's point on sports injuries.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584420.post-1141055441476647812006-02-27T15:50:00.000+00:002006-02-27T15:50:00.000+00:00It seems totally hypocritical that medical staff r...It seems totally hypocritical that medical staff respond this way to self-harmers, but are presumably ok with people who come in with sports injuries. After all the people who hurt themselves playing football or skiing or whatever were doing it just for fun, whereas if you self harm, it's very unlikely you're doing it for enjoyment, rather than because they are coping with their situation the best way they can. <BR/><BR/>In any case, surely it's the responsibility of doctors and nurses to provide appropriate care to all patients, regardless of how they feel towards the person, or who's fault the injuries were. Also how do they imagine that treating an already vulnerable person so badly is going to help them in any way?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584420.post-1141038354016111772006-02-27T11:05:00.000+00:002006-02-27T11:05:00.000+00:00In a sense I can sympathise with medical staff who...In a sense I can sympathise with medical staff who spend a lot of time dealing with the aftermath of indiscriminate accidents or illness, then having a problem with those who they imagine had a clear choice in the matter. For example, if I was a nurse, I would be far less sympathetic with the patient who broke his arm in a drunken brawl than the patient who was knocked off his bike. <BR/><BR/>However, the care that is currently given to people who self-harm or even attempt suicide is completely counter-productive. These are <I>manifestations of illness</I>; in the same way that my poor co-ordination means I sometimes walk into walls. And if I ran the world and someone came into an A&E with self-inflicted injuries, I would be looking not only to treat those injuries to the best possible standard, but also to start putting in place mechanisms to stop it happening again; providing counselling and psychiatric referrals if need be. <BR/><BR/>The absolute last thing you do is give such a person more ammunition to fire at themselves and yet that is <I>exactly</I> what folks all too often receive. <BR/><BR/>I reiterate Laura's comments about the quality of this post; well done. I also wish you all the best in getting through all this crap. If it is any help, I wrote something about dealing with episodes of anger and frustration <A HREF="http://blobolobolob.blogspot.com/2006/01/grrr.html" REL="nofollow">here</A>.<BR/><BR/>Take care of yourself.The Goldfishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15213378454070776331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584420.post-1140991639582669992006-02-26T22:07:00.000+00:002006-02-26T22:07:00.000+00:00Hey Hippie, This was a really interesting and sens...Hey Hippie, <BR/><BR/>This was a really interesting and sensitive post. I used to self harm, but never badly enough to need medical attention, and I hadn't realised that it often wasn't taken seriously by medical staff - how appalling. It's not as if the self harmer thinks 'hmmm, how can I waste some valuable hospital time today - I know, I'll cut my arm up for no reason whatsoever other than to get their attention' - as you say, there are deep underlying reasons why people self harm, and injuries should be taken just as seriously as 'accidental' ones. The guidelines look good, though, let's hope they become more thoroughly adhered too. <BR/><BR/>And I know it prob won't make any difference me saying this, but I'll say it anyway: you're not stupid, not a waste of time, and deserve oober wonderful treatment and lots of tender care :-)<BR/><BR/>Hugs<BR/><BR/>Laura xxLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08807325093106702912noreply@blogger.com